Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 32RT-300T near Port Mansfield, TX — 2017-10-19

Final reportCEN18LA017
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Date
2017-10-19
Location
Port Mansfield, TX, USA
Airport
T05
Aircraft
PIPER PA 32RT-300T
Registration
N633CB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which led to a hard landing and the subsequent collapse of the nosewheel landing gear due to the overstress failure of the nosewheel landing gear trunnion casting.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot stated that, during landing, he pitched the airplane's nose up "slightly" and reduced engine power before the main landing gear wheels touched down on the runway. The nosewheel landing gear then touched down and collapsed. Postaccident examination of the nosewheel landing gear revealed that the trunnion casting was fractured. Metallurgical examination of the trunnion casting revealed fractures consistent with overstress. No evidence of preexisting cracks was observed on any of the fracture surfaces. No other mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation were noted. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot did not properly flare the airplane, which led to a hard landing and the subsequent collapse of the nosewheel landing gear.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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